Alan Gene Salter

Alan Gene Salter passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at the age of 60 at the Friendship Village in Tempe, Ariz. He was born on March 15, 1953 in Rantaul, Ill. the son of Bobby Gene Salter and Patricia Ann (Kunze) Salter. 

Alan began his life in Rantaul where he was born on the Chanute Air Force Base. When he was a year old, he moved to Garden City, Kan., and at the age of five he moved to Syracuse. He attended Syracuse High School and graduated in 1971. On March 7, 1981, he married Joyce Marie Schmidt in Syracuse, and they made their home in Syracuse. From 1981 to 1989, he farmed with his dad. In 1989, he moved to Manhattan where attended Kansas State University and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture. In 1992 he moved to Garden City where he was the Assistant Superintendent for Southwind Golf Course. In 1995, he moved to Beatrice, Neb. where he landed his first Superintendent job for a golf course. In September of 1997, he moved to Farmington, N.M. where he was the Superintendent at the Pinon Hills Golf course. In August of 2007, he moved to Las Cruces, N.M. where he built the golf course that is there today, and he resided there until his passing.  

Alan was a member of the GCSAA - Golf Course Superintendent Association Of America, RGGCSAA – Rio Grande Golf Course Superintendent Association Of America, a past Master of the Masonic Lodge 309, Eastern Star 264, order of DeMolay and a member of the K – State Alumni. He enjoyed golfing, remodeling houses, landscaping, reading, teaching people, helping kids further their education, watching sports on TV, anything to do with the outdoors, and most importantly he never met a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Willis Salter & Ethel (Solze) Salter, and Arthur Kunze & Lula (Kelley) Kunze. He is survived by his spouse, Joyce Marie (Schmidt) Salter of Las Cruces; parents, Bobby “Bob” Gene Salter & Patricia Ann (Kunze) Salter, both of Syracuse; one sister, Patrice (& husband John) Vagher of Garden City; and numerous family members and friends.

Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 10:00 AM (MDT) at the First Presbyterian Church in Syracuse. Burial will follow in the Syracuse Cemetery in Syracuse. There will be No Visitation.

Condolences may be sent to fellersfh@yahoo.com. In Lieu of Flowers memorial contributions may be payable to the Alan Salter Scholarship Fund, or Hospice of the Valley, and sent in care of Fellers Funeral Home & Monuments LLC, P.O. Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878. 620-384-5100.

Sandra Joyce (Ingraham) Rutherford

Sandra Joyce (Ingraham) Rutherford passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at the age of 70 at the Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, Kan. She was born on Dec. 1, 1942 in Pueblo, Colo., the daughter of Leonard Ingraham and Josephine (Dinsmore) Ingraham. 

Sandra grew up in Horace, Kan. and attended Horace Grade School, and she attended Tribune High School and graduated in 1960. On May 7, 1959, she married Charles “Pete” Lionel Rutherford in Tribune, and they later divorced. They made their home in Horace, and to this union four children were born, Charles, Crystal, Chris, and Cary. In 1977 she became the manager of the Railroad Café in Horace where she did it all, until 1998 when she was forced to quit and went on disability and retired in 1999. She enjoy living in the small town of Horace and resided there until her passing.

Sandra was a member of the Assembly Of God Church in Tribune. She enjoyed cooking, reading murder mysteries, and took great enjoyment in watching the cooking channel, but her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Barbara Lou StJohn. 

She is survived by three sons, Charles Rutherford, Jr. of Sharon Springs, Kan., Chris (& wife Tabitha) Rutherford of Leoti, Kan. and Cary Rutherford of Wellington, Colo.; one daughter, Crystal Rutherford of Horace; one brother, Claude Patterson of Liberal, Kan.; three sisters, Elaine Scroggins of Gillette, Wyo., Sheridan (& husband Gene) Wade of Colbert, Okla., and Sarah (& husband Mark) Williams of Salem, Ore.; four grandchildre, Angel (& husband Robert) Brandl of Tribune, Tyron Herrman of Manassas, Va., Patrick (& wife Jeanice) Luneau of Conway, Ark., and Cheyenne Rutherford of Leoti; two great grandchildren, Jailyn Brandl of Tribune, and Parker Luneau of Conway; and numerous family members and friends.

Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 11:00 AM (MDT) at the Assembly Of God Church, in Tribune, KS. 

Condolences may be sent to fellersfh@yahoo.com. In Lieu of Flowers memorial contributions may be payable to the Sandra Rutherford Memorial Fund and sent in care of Fellers Funeral Home & Monuments LLC, P.O. Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878. 620-384-5100.

Rachael Emily Finley

Rachael Emily Finley, 19, Larkspur, Colo, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2013 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Syracuse, Kan..

Rachael came into this world as a blessing on May 9, 1994 in Aurora, Colo. She attended NJC in Sterling, Colo. where she was studying to pursue a degree in zoology. She loved animals, bright colors, reading books, music, adventure, and traveling. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Rachael will be sadly missed by all, she was quick to smile and laugh and was like sunshine to those who knew her or even just met her. 

Rachael will be always loved and never forgotten by her parents, Douglas and Joanne Finley; one sister, Meghan Finley; the maternal grandparents, Roland and Laura Gates; the paternal grandparents, David and Opal Finley; maternal aunt, Emily Shook with husband John Shook; paternal uncle, David Finley with wife Becky Finley; paternal aunt, Terri Lynn Tesch with husband Terry Tesch; and a host of great aunts and uncles, numerous cousins and many friends. 

Friends and family are invited to come celebrate the life of Rachael Emily Finley at The Rock, 4881 Cherokee Dr., Castle Rock, CO, Friday, May 31, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. There will be a reception following the service at the same location. 

This is a celebration and the family is asking everyone to wear bright colors, especially the neon green, yellow, pink, blue, and orange that Rachael loved.

Tracie Ann Kirkland

Tracie Ann Kirkland, age 31, of Syracuse, Kan. died Monday, May 27, 2013 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center St. Francis Campus in Wichita, Kan.  She was born July 5, 1981 in Ulysses, Kan., the daughter of Jimmy and Denette (Gould) Kirkland.

Tracie grew up in Johnson, Kan. and graduated from Stanton County High School in 2000. She worked for Syracuse Flying Service and helped with the restoration of vintage planes. Tracie was a Denver Broncos fan, loved to fish, 4-wheel, and spend time with her family; most of all her nieces. 

Survivors include her parents, Jim and Denette Kirkland of Johnson; sister, Kandice Schwieterman and husband Neil of Syracuse; grandparents, Dennis and Karleen Gould of Golden, Mo.; and nieces, Kaiya Harmon, Abigail Schwieterman and Madalyn Schwieterman. Tracie is preceded in death by her grandparents, James and Loretta Kirkland.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 31, 2013 at the Fields Memorial Wesleyan Church in Johnson with Pastor Kurt Rovenstine officiating.  Interment will follow at the Syracuse Cemetery in Syracuse. Friends may call from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at Garnand Funeral Home in Johnson.  Memorial contributions may be given to the Midwest Transplant Network in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, Kansas 67855.

Sarah Jane Wilson

Sarah Jane Wilson passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at the age of 49, at the Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, Kan. She was born on August 13, 1963 in Johnson, the daughter of Albert Kenneth Wilson and Delores Inez (Bratton) Wilson. 

Jane resided in Johnson from the time she was born until her untimely passing. She attended Stanton County High School and graduated in 1981. Jane was very active in the community where she worked as the librarian for the Stanton County Library, a bookkeeper for Ag Pivots and Collingwood Grain. She also worked as sales clerk at Seyb Tucker, and was a waitress at Lauppe’s Café. She will be missed by everyone that knew her.

Jane was a member of the Kansas Library Association, Stanton county 4 – H Reading Leader, and was very involved in the Relay For Life that took place every year in Johnson. She enjoyed crocheting, counter cross stitching, woodworking, reading, watching HGTV, and most importantly she enjoyed helping others and spending time with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Alice Verneal Wilson & Henry C. Wilson, and Pearl Perditha Bratton & Jesse “Red” Bratton.

She is survived by her parents, Albert & Delores Wilson of Johnson; two brothers, Kenneth (& wife Charlotte) Wilson of Joplin, Mo. and Wayne (& wife Julie) Wilson of  Des Moines, Iowa; three sisters, Linda Wilson Moser of Johnson, Edith (& husband Tim) Kemper of Pratt, Kan. and Evelyn Wilson of Johnson; four nephews, Paul, Matthew, & Jason Kemper, and Mathew Wilson; three nieces, Malinda & Marsha Dean, and Robyn Kemper; 10 great nieces & nephews; and numerous family members and friends.

Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 10:00 AM (CDT) at the Wesleyan Church, in Johnson, KS. Burial will follow in the Stanton County Cemetery in Johnson. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2013 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM (CDT), at the Wesleyan Church in Johnson.

Condolences may be sent to fellersfh@yahoo.com. In Lieu of Flowers memorial contributions may be payable to the Stanton County Library and sent in care of Fellers Funeral Home & Monuments LLC, P.O. Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878. 620-384-5100

Donald Frank Jacques

Donald Frank Jacques passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the age of 73 at his home in Tribune, Kan. He was born on July 19, 1939 in Horace, Kan., the son of Harry Denton Jacques and Jeanie Young (Wilson) Jacques. 

Don grew up on the family farm south of Horace. His father passed away when Don was 9 years old. He lived with his mother and finished high school in Tribune and graduated in 1957. He then stayed on the farm and became the man of the house living with his mother until she passed away in 1978. After her passing he lived in the basement house at the farmstead until a fire destroyed the house. Don was a farmer and rancher at heart and helped many of his neighbors until his health made it impossible for him to farm, and retired in 2001. He resided in Horace and Tribune until his untimely passing.

Don was a “kid at heart”. He loved farming and working on equipment and his toys, most importantly scooters. He rarely bought anything new, and he loved to find “bargains” and fix them up. He loved young children and had a very special relationship with his nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He was ornery and had a great sense of humor. He was very stubborn and had a very keen sense of right and wrong. He loved to play cards with family and watch old western movies on TV.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Irene Hunt and Ethel Stotts. He is survived by one brother, Denton “Bud” Jacques of Ralston, Wyo.; and three sisters, Pauline Peterson of Johnson, Kan., Betty Bailey of Cimarron, Kan. and Alice Wagner of Scotts Bluff, Neb.; and 

numerous family members and friends

Graveside Memorial Service were held on Saturday, May 18, 2013 the Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune. 

Condolences may be sent to fellersfh@yahoo.com. In Lieu of Flowers memorial contributions may be payable to the Greeley County Hospital and sent in care of Fellers Funeral Home & Monuments LLC, P.O. Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878. 620-384-5100.

Erika Marlene Hedberg

Erika Marlene “Boots” Hedberg, 82, passed away May 12, 2013 at Riverview Estates, Marquette, Kansas.

She was born March 25, 1931 in Marquette and was the only girl of William and Gladys (Gomer) Jost’s six children. Boots was baptized as an adult at Elim Lutheran Church March 26, 1961. She was a faithful member of Elim and held many positions of leadership in the church over the years. Boots’ faith in God was very important to her and she knew this world was not her final home, but that she was only passing through to that “mansion over the hilltop”. Boots graduated from Marquette High School in May 1949. She was united in marriage to Arnold V. Hedberg at the Covenant Church in Marquette on June 9, 1949. Vic cared and provided for Boots from that day forward in the best way he knew how. He was especially attentive to her in the last few years of her life and was concerned about her well-being until the very end.

First and foremost, Boots was a farm wife to Vic, proud mother of five children, and known as “Grandma Boots” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition, Boots worked at the Lindsborg Sale Barn, Home Mercantile, was a bus driver for USD 400, and a rural mail carrier for the McPherson Post Office. As a partner to Vic, she was head dispatcher for Hedberg & Sons Trucking Company and worked in all capacities on the family farm and cattle business.

Boots loved horseback riding and was especially proud to be a part of the Smoky Valley Saddle Club Drill Team for a few years. She loved fishing off the riverbank of the Smoky Hill or at farm ponds and would often take her grandchildren along. She was also very happy sitting on her front porch with a cup of coffee in her hand, enjoying some good conversation and watching the world go by. A lot of problems were solved sitting on that front porch. Boots loved birds in general, but especially the Purple Martins. She spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to get them not only in her bird house, but to get them to stay.

When Boots and Vic were raising their family, they enjoyed camping and boating and their family of seven took many trips in a small camper perched on the back of their pickup truck. She found solitude in the ripple of the water and the crackling of a campfire combined with some good old guitar picking and singing. She loved to sing, although she never considered herself good at it and was particularly proud of singing tenor in a double quartet of four men and four women directed by Uarda Thompson. In Boots’ later years, she enjoyed crossword puzzles and watching the eagles at Kanopolis Lake with her best friend Ebba Nelson.

Boots was intrigued by American Indians and their philosophy on life regarding living off the land and trusting in God who would provide. Boots’ happiness was not measured by the “things of this world” but in the simplicity of life she found true happiness, never wanting for more than she had or complaining about things she couldn’t change.

Boots was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Jim, Warren, and Roy Jost.

Boots is survived by her husband Vic of Marquette, children and spouses:  Ken Hedberg, Jackie (Craig) Larson, Tim (Rhonda) Hedberg, Quint (Beth) Hedberg, Matt (Diane) Hedberg, 13 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and two brothers Dale Jost of Syracuse and Gary Jost of Pawnee Rock, many nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends.

A Celebration of Life was held Thursday, May 16, at Elim Lutheran Church, Marquette. Private family burial was held at Marquette Lutheran Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Memorials may be designated to Elim Lutheran Church or Riverview Estates in care of Christians Funeral Home 103 N. Washington PO Box 386 Lindsborg, KS 67456.

Trinidad Quintana

A Mass of Christian Burial for current Wichita, Kan. resident formerly of Granada, Colo, Trinidad Quintana will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the St. Francis de Sales/Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Reverend Charles Sena as celebrant. A Rosary service will be held at 6:30PM on Friday, May 17, 2013 at the church with Deacon Allan Medina reciting. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Granada, Colo.

Visitation for Trinidad will be held on Friday, May 17, 2013 from 1:00PM until 4:00PM at the Peacock Family Chapel. 

Trinidad was born on April 22, 1959 at San Felipe de Jesus, Chihuahua, Mexico to Manuela Quintana and Trinidad Quintana-Serrano and passed away on May 11, 2013 at Wichita, Kansas at the age of 54.

He is preceded in death by his dad, Trinidad Quintana-Serrano and his brother; Jose Ramiro Quintana. 

Trinidad is survived by his wife; Hilaria Aurora Quintana-Casillas; children -Romana (Pedro) Rodriguez, Marisol Casillas-Quintana all of Granada, Rebecca (Juan) Gonzalez of Syracuse, Kan., Trinidad (Denise) Quintana, Jr. of Lamar, Travis (Kacy) Quintana of Holcomb, Kan., Sylvia (Felipe) Marquez of Wichita, and Kassandra Quintana of Granada, his mother; Manuela Quintana-Quintana of Valle de Zaragoza, Chihuahua, Mexico, and fifteen grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers; Adan Quintana, Mariano Quintana both of Valle de Zaragoza, Chihuahua, Mexico, Manuel (Armida) Quintana of Fresno, CA and Jesus (Maria) Quintana of Irving, Texas, sisters; Josefa (Cesario) Chavez of Valle de Zaragoza, Chihuahua, Mexico, Delores (Gregorio) Martinez of El Paso, TX and Soledad Harrison of Fresno, Calif.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Trinidad Quintana Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home office. Services are under the direction of the Peacock Family. For current information and online condolences please visit our website at www.peacockfuneralhome.com.

Marvin Bender

Marvin Bender passed away at his home in Holly, Colo. on May 12, 2013.  He was 73….or in leap years, 18.  

Memorial services for Marvin will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 17th, 2013, at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, CO.  Reverend Eugene Birt will officiate.  

A memorial service for Marvin Bender will also be in Britton, S.D. on Monday, July 1st, 2013, at the First Lutheran Church of Britton. Reverend Terrill Sorensen will officiate. Inurnment will take place at the Britton Cemetery, where he will join his wife for all eternity.  

Marvin Bender was born to Reiny and Frieda (Meidinger) Bender in Aberdeen, S.D. on February 29, 1940.  The oldest of 5, he grew up a farmer in northeastern South Dakota.   After several moves, his parents settled on a farm east of Britton.  He went to school in Britton and then onto a diesel program in Fargo, N.D., while continuing to help on the farm.  In his late teens, he joined the Army National Guard with several buddies, and served for seven years in the Howitzer Service Battery motor pool. 

Marvin married Valera K. Behnke of Britton on December 28, 1963.  Early in their marriage they lived in Britton and in 1965 purchased the Behnke homestead, 4 miles east of Britton and began farming.   Along with their acreage, they also raised stock cows, feeder hogs and various other types of livestock - along with three children.    

He was very much an entrepreneur but always a farmer at heart.  He and Val owned several other businesses, including Britton Livestock Auction, Bender Trucking and a custom harvesting business, harvesting wheat with John Deere combines from Texas to SD each summer.  He also partnered and farmed with several of his family members for a number of years.  While in Britton, Marvin was a member of the First Lutheran Church.  

After the children had graduated from High School, he and Val moved to Syracuse, Kan. in 1987 and shortly thereafter to Holly, where he continued his trucking business up until 2012.  He and Val also owned and operated several other businesses in Holly.  

Marvin enjoyed fast cars younger in life, and then on the farm, built and repaired many things in his shop.  He was always chasing the next dollar - but loved nothing more than farming – and his faithful four-legged companion, Kalli whom was always by his side.    

He is survived by his three children, Shawnlee (Donnie) Hammit of Holly; Bradley (Jane) Bender of Glendale, Ariz.; Candie (Randy) Beck of Hecla, S.D.; 10 grandchildren, Sara Leigh, Philip Muth, Ryan (Kim) Hammit, Casey (Patricia) Hammit, Dylan Hammit, Zach and Gage Bender, Katie, Kaylin, and Anthony Beck; five great-grandchildren, Maleia Buer, Maddix Delbrune, Kallie Mackner, Millie Leigh, Mackenzie Hammit, and 3 great-grandchildren to join the family this summer; two sisters, Diane (Richard) Rath of Arvada, Colo. and LaVonne (Roger) Furman of Britton; two brothers, Oscar (Donna) Bender of Parker, Ariz. and Arlie (Lorene) Bender of Britton; many other relatives and a host of friends.  

Preceding him in death are his parents and wife.  

Memorial donations may be made to Lamar Area Hospice and Holly Fire and Ambulance Fund in care of Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 950, Lamar, CO 81052.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, Colorado.  For more information or to leave online condolences please visit www.valleymemorialfc.com.

Hugh Corthon Barr

Hugh Corthon Barr passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at the age of 80 at his home in Westcliffe, Colo. He was born on August 24, 1932 in Denver, Colo. the son of Elmer Charles Barr and Lois Eloise Corthon. 

Hugh was the oldest of three. Sister Frankie Lee and brother Jimmy soon followed and grew up and thrived in a loving home. The family lived in Utah and Colorado for the majority of their childhood. He attended Kamas High School in Kamas, Utah and graduated in 1951, he later enlisted into the United States Navy shortly thereafter following in his father's footsteps. While on leave he met Geraldine Louis Kritzmire, whom he married after a whirlwind romance. The couple then move to Los Angeles California where Hugh was stationed until he received his new top secret assignment aboard a Navy Neptune Patrol Bomber in Kodiak, Alaska. He served on that aircraft as a crewman for 4 years and survived being shot down and left adrift in the Bering Strait Sea. The crew flew many missions over Japan, China, and Russia in the height of the Cold War, and Korean War, and later served four years in the Navy Reserve. Upon completion of his military service, Hugh and Geraldine raised their family in Syracuse, where he first began working for Walter Chris Kritzmire, his father in law, at the salvage yard. He was offered a position as the assistant manager at the local Co-op exchange where he worked for 18 years. In 1978, he moved to Westcliffe where he resided until his passing. Hugh worked for Martin and Tope Real Estate until his retirement in 1999, but shortly thereafter became an appraiser for the same company until 2006. Hugh and Jerry lived off the land and cared as stewards for the animals they came in contact with. He was involved with grandchildren's lives for a majority of the summer nearly every summer and took them camping and enjoyed teaching and showing them the simplistic nature and the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Hugh Barr was a humble man of few words but enormous character. He lived and loved life and should be honored for doing so. 

Hugh was a member of the Syracuse Saddle Club where he rode bulls on occasion. Hugh volunteered and participated in the Hamilton County Fire department and was involved with many demolition derbies. Being very mechanical, he enjoyed fixing up the vehicles to do so. Motorcycles, fishing and boating were among his passions as well as a deep love for his family and animals.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jimmy Barr; a brother-in-law, Bob Hankins; a grandson and his wife, Christopher and Jennifer Barr. He is survived by one son, Crae (& wife Bernadette) Barr of Syracuse; three daughters, Debra (& husband John) Cooper of Canon City, Colo., Sharon (& husband Dave) Kissell of Pueblo, Colo. and Karen Barr of Pueblo; one sister, Frankie Lee Hankins of Buena Vista, Colo.; four grandchildren, Trudi (& husband Thad) Rash of Syracuse, Jason (& wife Robin) Cooper of Canon City, Valerie (& husband Michael) Griffin of Hutchinson, Kan. and Justin (& wife Emily) Cooper of Penrose, Colo.; 17 great grandchildren, Kasha Rash of Benkleman, Neb., Kamie, Kiah & Ethan Rash of Syracuse, Larissa, Craig & Emmitt Cooper of Canon City, Roxi & Cameron Barr of Syracuse, Matthew, Trevor, Dillon & Dakota Griffin of Hutchinson, and Sydney, Jesse, Shelby Cooper of Penrose; and numerous family members and friends

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 10:00 AM (MDT) at the First United Methodist Church in Syracuse. Burial will follow in the Syracuse Cemetery of Syracuse. There will be No Visitation.

Condolences may be sent to fellersfh@yahoo.com. In Lieu of Flowers memorial contributions may be payable to the Paws – Protection Animal Welfare Shelter and sent in care of Fellers Funeral Home & Monuments LLC, P.O. Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878. 620-384-5100.